A bioactive compound naturally found in broccoli has been linked to wide-ranging health benefits, particularly for chronic diseases. For example, broccoli may not only improve obesity prevention but also reduce the negative effects of a high-fat diet.
A new study involving experts from the University of Miami examined the effects of supplementing with glucoraphanin from broccoli on body weight, metabolic parameters, gut flora and the metabolome in obesity. The results can be read in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research.
Glucoraphanin against obesity?
Obesity is detrimental to health and increases the risk of various chronic diseases. Glucoraphanin, a bioactive ingredient in broccoli, is known to have an effect against various chronic diseases, the team reports.
In a model with obese mice, the researchers therefore investigated how glucoraphanin from broccoli affects body weight, metabolic parameters, the intestinal flora and the metabolome.
In the studies, mice were fed a normal diet, a high-fat diet, or a high-fat diet with glucoraphanin supplementation to determine the metabolic protective effect of glucoraphanin.
Improved glucose metabolism
According to the researchers, taking glucoraphanin was shown to alleviate symptoms associated with obesity and lead to improved glucose metabolism.
In addition, glucoraphanin significantly shifted the microbial diversity and composition of the intestine towards a so-called eubiosis status, i.e. a state of healthy balance in the intestinal microbiome.
According to the researchers, the intake of glucoraphanin was also associated with changes in the profiles of plasma metabolites, and further analyses showed that a complex interaction between the intestinal microbes and metabolism appears to contribute to the glucoraphanin-induced positive effects.
Use for prevention
The results obtained indicate that the positive effect of the broccoli ingredient is due to a reprogramming of the microbial community and metabolites and they make glucoraphanin a promising dietary candidate for the prevention of obesity, the research team concludes. (as)